Alternating-current block-signaling system.



J. B. STRUBLE.

ALTERNATING CURRENT BLOCK SIGNALING SYSTEM.

APPLICATION FILED APB..1, 1908.

Patented Sept. 22, 1908.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

lNVENTOR J. (Q'SMM Y J. B. STRUBLE.

ALTERNATING CURRENT BLOCK SIGNALING SYSTEM.

APPLICATION FILED APR. 1, 190a.

Patented Sept. 22, 1908.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2 FIG.5.

WITNESSES MQMW. r v G ML" a QMU\NMARQQW&U' I I uv UNITED STATES PATENT()FFICE.

JACOB B. STE U Bill), 01 SWJHSVALI'J, PENNSYLVANIA, ASSIUNUR TO THEUNlON hWl'lUll it STU- NAL COMPANY, OF SWlSSV/tlil PEN NSYLVANlA,A-UORPORAllON OF PENNSYLVANIA.

ALTERNATING-CURRENT BLOCK-SIGNALING SYSTEM.

Patented Sept. 22, 1908.

To all whom it may concern. A Be it known that l JAcon B. S'rnunLE, 0iSwissvale, Allcghel'iy county, Pennsylvanla,

have invented a new and useful Alternating- CurrentBlock-SignalingSystmn, of which the follo-wim a full, clear, and exact dcscription,-reerenre being had to the accompanying drawings, forming part of thisspecii-ication, in which- Figures 1., 2 and '3, are diaguanis showingthree dillerent arrangements of circuits and operating devices embodyingmy invention. My invention h relation to an alternating current blocksig ling systornfand is designed toprovide \n'ieans jor controlling theoperation of the distant signals without the use-0f wires extending backfrom the home signals to the corresponding distant signals. I accomplishthis object by the provision of ,relaysa'nd controlling circuitstherefor, so ar rangedthat the supply (it-current forthe (llS-tantsig-nals is cutnll and the signals are held at cantionpositionuntilthe correspondingl'ioi-nc" signal has cleaned, with means for therebyrestoring the current supply to the distant signal and clearing it.

The precise nature of my invention Wlll be V best understood byreference to the accomindicat 'l panying drawings in which I have shownseveral dilferent embodiments thereof, and which 'willnow be described,it being premisedyhowever, that the invention is susceptible of variouschanges and. of other embodiments, withoutdeparting-from its spirit andscope, as defined in the appended claims.

Referring first to Fig. 1 of the drawings, A, C, D are fthree successivesections of a'railway track, insulated one from. another, as Thesections A and C constitute portionsof one and the sameblock, which is"uarded by the home signal 4. The section constitutes the first sectionor subdivision .of tiie n'ext block, which is guarded by the home signal(3. 5 is flthe distant signal for the last named block,a1id which, inthe forms of m invention shown in Figs. 1 and 2,

is mountei on a separatc pole or su iport lo"- cated beyond the homesignal 4 m t 1e direction'of travel of the trams, G is a generator ofthe alternator type which sup lies signals ing current to the trackthrough t 1e line conductors 7 and the transformers '1 and T'Ihetransformers T, T supply current respectively to the sections A andC. The transformer T has one secondary winding t which is also arrangedto supply current to tne section A, andanother winding t which suppliescurrent to-set and hold the distant signal 5 at clear position. 2designatesa-reln'y of the motor type, l'iaving the winding of itsarmature connected across the rails of track section A and its fieldwinding 2 in series with the secondary t of the transformer '1. Relay 2has two positions, the one shown in the drawing in which the contact arm2" actuated thereby is in position to close the circuit for the slowrelease relay S, which in turn is in position to close the circuit forthe home si nal 4, and another position in which said circuit is opened.S is a second relay, of the Vane type which is connected in multiplewith the relay coil 2 fora pur ose, presently to be described. was itsarmature winding connected across the rails of track section C, and itsfield 3 in t of transformer T The relay 3 i-S'Preferably of the typehaving a wire wound field and armature, and having three positions; thatis to say, arranged to control a circuit in each extreme position, and.an intermediate position in. which all the circuits which it controlsare opened, It has one contact arfn 3 in series with the circuit whichcontrols the distant signal 5, and another contartarm 3" which controlscontacts in series with the transformer secondary 25. Arm 3" has alsofront and back contacts in parallel so that when in either of'itsextreme positions,the circuit of the secondary tiwill be closed. R

"wherever seen indicates resistance. '1 is a pole changer actuated bythe horne'signal 6 to reverse the polarity of the track section 0; Theposition of the pole changer deteriiiines the polarity or phase relationof the current in the rails of section and in the armature. of the relay3 with relation to the current in the lield winding 3, and thereforedetermines the direction of rotation of the arma-' ture. The rcsistanc'eit serves the purpose of preventing an excessive 'ilow of current 3 is arelay w ich 4 from the track transformers to the rails when a tracksection is occu )ied by a train.

Supposing a train to be passing from left to right on the drawing, theaction is as follows As soon as the train enters the track section A,the armature of relay 2 isshort circuit-ed, and relays 2 and S move toopen circuit position, and set signal 4 at danger. When the train enterssection (.7, the armature of the relay 3 is short circuitcd, and therelay as sumes its middle position which opens all its contacts, thussetting the distant signal 5 at caution and also cutting oil the supplyof current to the track section A. When the train enters section 1), thehome signal 6'is set at danger and the pole changer P is thereby shiftedto supply current to the track section (l'in an opposite direction.gizcs the relay-3 in such a manner as to close the contact arm 3 againstits back contact but to retain in its open position the contact arm 3"which'controls the actuating circuit of the distant signal 5. The homesignal 4 is new again supplied with current. from the track circuit, andgoes to clear 'iosition. When the train passes off from the )lock 1),the home signal. 6 clears, and the pole changer P is shifted to itsoriginal position. The current in the armature 3 is therefore. againreversed and its armature turns in the reverse direction, therebyclosing contact arm 3" and moving contact arm 3" against its frontcontact, The closing of contact arm 3 su plies current to the distantsignal 5, which t ien clears; the supply of current to track section Abeing continued through the arm 3. The "momentary interruption of thecurrent supply' to track circuit A while the relay 3 is shifting, isbridged over by the vane relay S. This is due to the fact that thisrelay has a slow release by reason of the inertia of the moving element,its con tact bein so designed that a slight movement of t e vane willnot open the circuit; that is to say, before the vane can move farenough to open the signal circuit, the current is reestablished in itswinding which returns the vane. to its fully closed position. If thehome signal were of the ordinary slotcontrolled type, the momentaryopening which would occur without the relay S dur ing the shiftininterval of the relay 3, would cause the signa to go to danger in theface of a possible approaching train. This wouldbe undesirable even thouh the. signal immediatel returned to the cFe'ar position.

e arrangement shown in Fig. 2 is similar to that shown in Figt 1, exceptthat the portion of the trackcorresponding to section A of Fig. 1 isdivided into two sections A and B, and another relay 2 is employed,having its armature winding connected across the rails of section B andits field coil supplied by a secondary t of a transformer T. The contactarm 2 of this relay is shown as having both back and front contacts.

The operation of apassingtrain is as fol This cner- F against anypossibility of current reaching said section from the adjacent trackcircuit.

This back contact feature ma however, be omitted, as it is merely an adred precaution. As the train enters the section C, the armature of thethrwi-position. relay 3 assumes its middle, or opci'i-contact position,which puts the distant signal 5 to caution and cuts off the supply ofcurrent tosectionl T hchorne signal 4 remains at danger. As the'trainenters the section D, home signal 6 is, put to danger, and the polechanger P is shifted, thus reversing the current. in section C and inthe armature of relay 3. This relay is now actuated as in the form firstdescribed, to continue the interruption of current to the distant.signal 5, but to close the supply of current to track section B. Relay 2is new again energized, and thereby supplies current to the tracksection A and clears the home signal 4. As the train passes out of theblock I), home signal 6 is thereby cleared, which again actuatcs thepole changer P and reverses the relav 3. The latter now closes thecontrolling circuit of the distant signal 5 and clears it, and alsocloses to section B the supply of current. The momentary interruption ofcurrent by another contact while.

the relay 3 is shifting may cause the relay 2 to momentarily open iiiuthus momentarily interrupt the current in section A. The relay S will,however, act in the manner before described to prevent the opening ofthe circuit of the lufme signal 4.

In the arrangen'ient shown in Fig. 3, the

home and distant signals are both placed at the entrance to the blockand a relay 3- which is similar .to the relays 3 of the other two formshas its armature connected across the track section A, and its field suplied b the secondary of a transformer T, (tlie trac having its sectionssimilar to Fig. 1). A relay 3, similar to the relays 3 has its armatureconnected across the rails of the section B andboth contact arms 3 and 3of this relay havc'front and back contacts, arranged to revcrsethecurrent flowing from one secondary of the transformer T to the tracksection A.

The other secondary of the transformer T is in series with the fieldwimlin fof, the role 3.

The homeand distant signals 4 and 5 avby the relay arm 3, whiletliebianch which supplies the home signal actuator is carried throughthe contact of the vane relay S,

. ing.their actuators connected in'parallel'with' Mass c e whose windingis completed through the relay contact arm 3". In this figure, as wellas in Fig. 2, corresponding parts have been given the same referencecharacters as in Fig.

1, in order to avoid confusion, and different reference characters havebeen employed to.

distinguish parts not present or having a different function.

The operation of the arrangement shown from the section A and thesignals 4 and 5.

' When the train enters remain at danger. section D, the home anddistant signals 6 and 6 go to danger, and the pole-changer P is shiftedto reverse the current supply to the section B. This reverses the relay3*,which.

. assumes its othercircuit closing position and reverses the directionof current supplied to the track section A. Relay 3" is thereforeactuated in the reverse direction to close its other set of contacts.circuit of the distant signal 5, but closes the circuit of home signal 4by way of slow-re lease relay S, and this signal oes to clear po=sition. .When the train vances beyond section D, home si nal 6 .clears,and shifts the pole changer P.

his reverses the operation of relay 3', and thegeby-of relay 3. Thiscloses the'circuit of distant signal 5, which now clears, home signal 4being held at clear by the slow-release relay S.

The advantages of tn'vinvention will be apparent to those skilled in theart, since it e iminates the line wires for the distant signals, whileat the same time the. home signals are held at clear while the distantsignal controlling relays are shifting, by means of the slow releaserelays.

, Man ch as may be made-in my invention. hus t a several different typesof'relays may be of any known character suitable for the purpose. relaysmay assume their 0 en-circuit positions either by gravity or by t eaction 0 a spring.

Various formsotpole changers may be used, and the circuits canv bechanged in' 'many ways, so 10 as the principles of my invention-as definin the'appended claims are retained. v

What I claim is: i -I.' In an alternating current block-signal ing ssterii, home and distant signals, section controlled by thetrackcircuits for control-' ling the-home signals, other rela s which 7control the supply of current to t e home signal controlling circuits,and means controlled by the movementsof the home signals for reversinthe polarity of the last named relays; su stantially as described.

This retains open the track circuits. for said signals,- relays I 2. Inan alternating current block-signal ing system, home and distantsignals, sections. track circuits for said signals, relays controlled bythe track circuits for controlling the homesignals, other relays whichcontrol the su ply of current to the home-. signal controlhng circuits,and means controlled by the movements of the home signals for reversingthe polarity of the last named relays, such relays being connectedacross track sectionsrwhich are independent of the sections to which thehome-signal controlling relays are connected; substantially asdescribed.

I 3. In an alternating current block signal-1 ing system home signals,controlling circuits and actuating devices therefor controlled by the,assa e of trains into and out of the bloc d stant signals, controllingcircuits therefor which are connected to different sections of the trackthan those to which the controlling circuits for the home signalsareconnected, reversing relays for controlling the current-sup ly to thetrack sections to which the circuits of the distant signals are.

connected, and pole-changing means operated by the home signals foreffecting the-reversals of the'said relays; substantially as described.v g

' 4. In an alternating current block signaling system home signals,controlling circuits and actuating devices therefor cont-rolled by theassage of trains into and out of the :bloc s, distant signals,controlling circuits therefor which are connected tov different sectionsof thetrackthan those to which the controlling circuits for the homesignals areconnected, reversing relays for controlling the currentsupply to the track sections to which the circuits of the distantsignals are' connected, and pole-changing means operated by the-homesignals for effecting the reversals ofthe said relays, together 'withmeans for preventing the opening of the home signal circuits while thesaid relays 'are' reversing; substantially as described.

5.--Ir 1 an alternatingcurrent block signal ing system, home signals,controlling circuits and actuating devices thereforcontrolled by thepassage of trains into and out of the block's, distant signals,controlling'circuits therefor which are connected to different sectionsof' the track than those to which the controlling circuits for the homesignals are connected, reversing r'elaysJor controlling thecurrent-supplyto the track sections to which the circuits of the distantsignals are versals of the said relays, together with slowmotion relaysin the home 'signal circuits for preventing the opening of such circuitswhilethe said relays are reversing; substantially as described. g

6. In a block-signaling system of the. charventing the home signalcircuits i sulated track section, a home signal having across the railsof different track sections,

acter described, a sub-divided track circuit, home signal controllingrelays connected across the rails of some of the track circuits, distantsignal controlling relays connected across the rails of different tracksections, and having an open circuit position, a position in which theproper home signal circuit is maintained closed while the distant signalcircuit is open, and a third position in which *both said circuits areclosed, and ole changing means o erated by a home signal in advance forof ecting a reversal of thesaid relays; substantially as described.

7. In a block-signaling system of the character described, a sub-dividedtrack circuit, home signal controlling relays connected across the railsof some of the track circuits, distant signal controlling relaysconnected and having an open circuit position, a positionin which theproper honie signal circuit is maintained closed while the distantsignal circuit is open, and a third positionin which both said circuitsare closed, and pole changing means 0 erated by a home signal in advancefor cll iacting a reversal of the said relays, together with auxiliaryrela s for preii'om opening while the corresponding distant signal relas are reversing; substantially as descri ed. 7

8. In a block-signaling system of the character described, a distantsignal controlling relay of the reversing type, having one of itswindings connected across the rails of an insulated track section, andcontrolling the supply of current to the next preceding in a controllingrelay controlled by the last named "track section, said reversing relayhaving one position in which current is supplied to the preceding tracksection and also to the distant signal actuator, another position inwhich both these circuits are 0 ened, and a third position in which thesupp y cireuit for the preceding track sectionis closed, but the distantsignal actuator circuit is open, and means controlled by the home signalfor shifting said relay from the first to g the third xisitionsandrevcrsely; substani tially as described. I i

9. In an alternating current signaling sysl controlling the home signalfor each block, andrconnected across the rails of one of the {my hand.

the presence of a train in said section, to

thereby open all the circuits which it controls, a home signal having acontrolling relay connectedacross the preceding track section and havingits current supply controlled by.

the reversing relay, and means controlled by a second home signal forreversing said relay tocontrol the supply of current to the precedingtrack section and also-to the distant signal actuator; substantiallyv asdescribed. 1

10. In an alternating current signaling system, a sub-divided trackcircuit, a distant signal controlling relay having a winding connectedacross the track rails of one section and arranged 'to be shortcircuited by the presence of a train in said section, to

thereby open all thexcircuits' which it controls, a home signal having acontrolling relay connected across the preceding track section andhaving its current sup ily controlled by the reversing relay, and meanscontrolled by a second home signal for reversing said relay to controlthe supply of current to the preceding track section and also to thedistant'signal actuator, together with means for-preventing the firstnamed home signal from going to danger while the said relay isreversing; substantially as described.

v1'1. An alternating current block-signaling system, having its blockssubdivided, a relay block divisions, a second relay connected across therails of the adjacent block division and controlling the sup )ly ofsignaling current for the home signal controlling relay, means forcontrolling the second relay, a distant signal, and means controlled bythe second relay for controlling the distant signal; substantially asdescribed.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set J A(J( )B B. STRUBLE.Witnesses:

D. J. MoCAn'rm', JNO. l). TAYLOR.

